The Department for Work and Pensions published its Get Britain working whitepaper, announcing the largest reforms in employment support for the last generation. This is as the government strives to achieve an ambitious employment rate of 80%.
The white paper describes a “fundamentally new” approach to employment support, backed up by PS240million of investment, to address the root causes of inactivity and unemployment, combining health, skills, and employment support according to local community’s unique needs.
The “outdated” Jobcentres are being transformed into a national service for jobs and careers, which will focus on the skills and career of people instead of monitoring and managing benefit claims.
The Government is also delivering the new “Youth Garanty” to ensure that every young person can access education or training in order to find a job. In England, the apprenticeship levy will be transformed into an more flexible Growth and Skills Levy supported by PS40million to increase opportunities for young people who want to learn skills and enter work.
A review of how employers with disabilities or health conditions can better support them and keep them at work will be conducted.
Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary said: “To grow Britain we must get Britain back to work. Our reforms will help people get back into the workforce and stay there, as well as allow local leaders boost growth and jobs.
The white paper Get Britain Working shows how this government is unapologetically in favor of work. We will ensure that everyone can enjoy the dignity and purpose of work, no matter their age, background, ethnicity or disability.
“We can create a wealthier, healthier nation by increasing employment, opportunities, skills, and productivity, while reducing the benefits bill.”
Statistics show that almost 1.5 million are unemployed. Over 9 million are inactive. And a record number of 2.8 million are out-of-work due to long term sickness. One in eight young people are not in education or employment, while 9 million adults lack the skills to succeed in their jobs.
Meaningful Change
Keir starmer, the Prime Minister, said that the country inherited by this government is simply not working. “From the flatlining economy to the millions of unemployed people trapped in a spiral of inactivity, the country was not functioning.” Today, we have a plan for fixing this. “A plan that addresses the main drivers of inactivity and unemployment, and gives young people back their future through real and meaningful change rather than empty rhetoric or sticking plaster politics.”
He said: “Our reforms end the culture of blaming, shaming and punishing people for not getting the help they need to return to work. Our plan is to help people get decent, well-paid work and give our children and youth the best start in their lives.
Peter Cheese, CIPD: “These are welcome developments for job seekers, but the Government must also consider ways it can improve engagement between Jobcentres, and employers, as CIPD’s research shows that less than 1 in 10 employers see Jobcentre Plus currently as an effective source of recruiting employees.”
The DWP pointed out that the UK was the only major country to have seen employment decline over the last five years. This is largely due to the number of people who are no longer working because of long-term ill-health.
The government has said that it will fix NHS. This includes deploying more staff to reduce waiting lists in areas with high levels of inactivity, increasing access to mental support and focusing on preventative measures to keep people healthy.
By 2028-29, the program will add 8,500 additional mental health workers and expand access to Individual Placement and Support for people with severe mental illnesses.
The government will propose measures to reform the system of health and disability benefits to better support people in entering and remaining in the workforce and to reduce the spiraling benefits bill. In the Spring, a consultation will be released as part of an effort to place the voices and views of disabled people in the forefront of any policy changes which directly affect them.
The whitepaper outlines PS125million investment in eight regions across England and Wales to mobilize local work support, health and skill support. This includes funding for three trailblazer areas to fund “NHS Accelerators” in order to prevent people from losing their jobs due to illness.
National Jobs and Careers Service
The National Careers Service in England and the Jobcentres throughout Great Britain will be combined, and PS55 million will be invested.
The DWP will trial a radically improved digital offering using the latest technologies, including AI. This will provide the most up-to date information about jobs, skills and support.
Jobcentre staff will be able to provide a more personalized service for jobseekers, moving away from a ‘tick-box’ culture. Jobcentre staff will be trained in new coaching academies to help them better assist people into employment.
Tests and digital design are being carried out in order to better understand how to deliver tailored support and bring DWP online.
Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of the CIPD said: “These developments are welcomed by jobseekers but the government should also look at ways to improve engagement between Jobcentres, and employers, as CIPD Research shows that less than 1/10 employers see Jobcentre plus as a good source for attracting employees.”
Youth Guarantee
The ‘Youth Garanty’ will provide every 18- to 21-year old in England with an apprenticeship or quality training, education and employment opportunities.
With PS45 million, eight youth “trailblazers” will be established to identify the most vulnerable to dropping out of school or losing their job and to match them with opportunities for training, education or work.
Cheese stated: “The Youth Garanty is a positive move for young people to receive the training and support needed to start their careers on the right foot. They can earn while they learn.” We want the government, however, to go one step further and offer a specific apprenticeship guarantee for all young people under 24 years old. There is strong support, with 9 out of 10 employers surveyed in a CIPD survey supporting the introduction an Apprenticeship guarantee for 16-24-year-olds.”
The Youth Guarantee does not suffice to deal with the decline of apprenticeships over recent years. We need the government to have a larger ambition to make apprenticeships an alternative to university education for more young people, and to improve vocational paths into employment.
Growth and Skills Levy
The government will invest PS40 million to transform the English apprenticeship levy into a flexible Growth and Skills Levy, and deliver new foundation and short apprenticeships in key industries.
A review of the current state of employment will be conducted to determine what can be done by employers to improve recruitment and retention, early intervention in cases where sickness is absent and return to work.
The review will last until the summer of next year and involves wide-ranging engagement, including employers, employees and trade unions as well as health experts, people with disabilities and health conditions.
Stephen Evans, CEO of Learning and Work Institute, said: “The Government’s ambitious goal for an employment rate of 80% is right and our research shows that it will benefit employers, employees and the economy. Over three million unemployed people want to get a job but are not getting the support they need.
This White Paper is the first step in changing that. I am particularly happy to see the Youth Garanty, which we’ve long called for. “There are few priorities more important than ensuring that young people receive the education and career they need.”
Cheese said: “Get Britain Working represents a positive step towards tackling the UK’s persistent problem of economic inactivity.” Piloting integrated support services in the most affected areas will allow for some valuable learning that can be applied more widely, helping people to get into work.
William Roberts is the chief executive officer of the Royal Society for Public Health. He said that it was encouraging to see how the new government white paper acknowledges the role employers play in improving the health of their employees. This aligns with the feedback we have received from businesses.
“Everyone in the UK who is employed should have the right of a healthy work environment. We hope that the independent review of the role of UK employers to promote health will recommend a minimum level of support for all employees. It is important to note that our research indicates that 10,000,000 people do not have access to workplace health support.
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